Sealing device



C. K. BROWN SEALING DEVICE July 6, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 18, 1963 rl Il A l Fla.

INVENTOR. CHRISTOPHER K. BROWN BY I ATTORNEY C. K. BROWN July 6, 1965 SEALING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 18, 1965 FIG. IA

INVENTOR.

FIG. 2

CHRISTOPHER K BROWN ATTORNEY C- K. BROWN SEALING DEVICE July 6, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 18, 1963 INVENTOR. CHRISTOPHER K. BROWN ATTORNEY C. K. BROWN SEALING DEVICE July 6, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 18, 1963 INVENTOR. CHRISTOPHER K. BROWN ATTORNEY C. K. BROWN SEALING DEVICE July 6, 1965.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 18, 1963 INVENTOR. CHRISTOPHER K BROWN BY wgq.

ATTORNEY FIG. 7

y 1955 c. K. BROWN 3,192,739

SEALING DEVICE Filed April 18, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. CHRISTOPHER K BROWN ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,192,739 SEALING DEVICE Christopher K. Brown, Sayre, Pa., assignor to Ingersoll- Rand Company, New York, N .Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 273,939 Claims. (Cl. 6426) The present invention relates to impulse tools utilized for providing predetermined, accurate, torque control and also as a source of fluid impulses and more particularly to an improved sealing device for such impulse tools.

Heretofore, such conventional impulse tools are of the type disclosed in US. patent application, Serial #115, 714, filed June 8, 1961 by D. K. Skoog, now abandoned, in US. application Serial #158,838, filed December 12, 1961 by D. K. Skoog, now Patent No. 3,116,617, and in US. application Serial #244,151, filed December 12, 1962 by D. K. Skoog et al., all assigned to the assignee of the present invention. While these conventional impulse tools operate satisfactorily, the continued satisfactory sealing action of the spindle means and housing means during the production of the fluid impulses, is dependent upon the close tolerances in the order of magnitude of .001" between the sealing surfaces of these elements. This close tolerance of necessity is an expensive and tedious operation in the manufacture of the impulse tool. Further, wear on the sealing surfaces increases the fluid leakage in the impulse tool thus materially reducing the efiEiciency and eifectiveness of the impulse tool.

Conventional sealing devices for apparatus having two elements between which there is relative rotary or linear movement are of the type shown in US. Patent No. 71,- 125, issued November 19, 1867 to W. A. Boyden and in US. Patent No. 1,675,686, issued July 3, 1928 to E. L. Barnes.

It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other dilnculties of an objection to prior art practices by the provision of an improved sealing device for an impulse tool which sealing device provides an improved positive sea-ling action.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved sealing device for an impulse tool, which sealing device eliminates the expense and requirement for close tolerances in the fabrication of the elements of the impulse tool.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved sealing device for an impulse tool, which sealing device eliminates the problem of wear. be tween the sealing surfaces of the impulse tool thereby maintaining the efiiciency and effectiveness of the impulse tool throughout its attendantly increased operative life.

Yet another object of the present invention is the proto permit relative rotative movement between the houing means and the spindle means. The sealing device comprises sealing means resiliently disposed in one of the housing means and spindle means, the sealing means being adapted to cooperate with the other of the housing means and the spindle means during relative rotary moveice ment between the housing means and the sealing means to provide a fluid impulse.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an impulse tool embodying the improved sealing device of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a schematic, horizontal, sectional view of an impulse tool taken along the line 1A1A of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows incorporating the improved sealing device of the present invention and showing the housing means as the driven member and provided with the improved sealing device (which sealing device is shown in non-sealing position) and the spindle means in the starting position before impulsing;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1A showing the sealing device position at the start of the sealing operation;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1A and 2 showing the sealing device in the middle of the sealing operation and indicating the partial impulsing movement of the spindle means;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 1A-3 showing the sealing device at the end of the sealing operation and indicating the final impulsed position of the spindle means;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 1A4 showing the position of the sealing device after the completion of the sealing and impulsing operation;

FIG/6 is a view similar to FIGS. lA-S of an alternative embodiment of the impulse tool having a cylindrical spindle means and a through blade type spindle blade and an alternative embodiment of the biasing means in the sealing device, and showing the sealing device mid Way through the sealing and impulsing operation;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 1A-6 showing the spindle means provided with the sealing device, which sealing device is shown in the non-sealing position;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 1A-7 of alternative embodiments of the improved sealing device.

Although the principles of the present invention are broadly applicable to an improved sealing device for apparatus having two elements having relative rotary and linear movement therebetween, the present invention is particularly adapted for use' in conjunction with impulse tools and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

With specific reference to the form of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, an impulse tool of the type disclosed in the .above-mentionted US. patent applications, Serial #158, 838, and Serial #244,151, is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.

Since the impulse tool 10 per se forms no part of the present invention, it is deemed suflicient to say that such impulse tool 11) (FIGS. 1 and 1A) has a housing means, such as the inner housing 12, provided with the center of rotation 14 (FIGS. 1A, 25). This inner housing 12 is rotatable within a casing means 15 (FIG. 1) by drive means, such as an electric or air motor 17 (FIG. 1). The inner housing 12 is provided with a cavity means, such as the cavity 16 (FIGS. 1A, 2-5), eccentrically formed in the inner housing 12, having its center at 18 (FIGS. 1A, 25) and containing, .a fluid, such as oil F. The impulse tool 19 has a spindle means, such as the spindle 29 (FIGS. 1, 1A, 25), rotatably mounted in the inner housing 12 to permit relative rotative move- 'ment betweenthe inner housing 12 and the spindle 20.

. The center of rotative movement of the spindle 20 is the hereinbefore mentioned center 14.

The spindle 20 carries sealing means, such as a spindle blade 22 (FIGS. 1A, 2-5) which is urged by biasing means, such as the spring 24, into sealing engagement with the wall of the cavity 16.

SEALING DEVICE The improved sealing device 26 (FIGS. 1A, 25) of the present invention shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1A comprises providing the inner housing 12 with a sealing device cavity 28 in which a resiliently mounted floating sealing member 36 is urged outwardly therefrom by biasing means, such as the spring 32.

OPERATION As the inner housing 12 rotates in the direction of the arrow from the unsealing position shown in FIG. 1A to the starting sealing position shown in FIG. 2, the spindle 20 and its center line AA (FIG. 3) remain stationary. When a sealing portion of the floating sealing member 39 engages the spindle 20 the frictional force between the spindle 20 and floating sealing member Stl causes the floating sealing member 30 to engage the side wall 34 (FIGS. 1A, 25) of the sealing device cavity 28 thus sealing the cavity 16. into a high pressure portion HP and a low pressure portion'LP. As the floating sealing member 3% moves from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 the increased fluid pressure in the high pressure portion HP (due to compression of the oil F) forces the floating sealing member 31) more tightly against the side Wall 34 of the cavity 16 and against the spindle 20. As the fluid pressure in thehigh pressure cavity HP further increases, the sealing forces also increase thus improving the seal condition. Attendantly as the floating sealing member moves from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 the spindle 2t) and spindle blade 22 have been impulsed through the angle During the remainder of the impulsing operation the floating sealing member 30 moves from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4 and the spindle 20 and spindle blade 22 have been impulsed through a total angle 9 Which total angle 0 is applied to the threaded fastener not shown) by means of a socket (not shown) carried by the spindle 20.

Thereafter as the sealing device 26 moves from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, the seal between the floating sealing member 39 and the spindle 29 is broken thus permitting the equalization of fluid pressure in the cavity 16.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 6 it will be appreciated that the spindle 20 can be cylindrical in shape and provided with a through type spindle blade 22 thus eliminating the spring 24- (FIGS. 1, 1A-5). The through type spindle blade 22 is provided with a secondary by-pass means, such as the slot 36, so that when the sealing device 26 has moved about 180 from the position shown in FIG. 6, the slot 36 permits flow of fluid therethrough thus limiting the impulsing of the spindle 2'3 to one impulse during each revolution of the inner housing 12 Further since the through type spindle blade 22 (FIG. 6) substantially rides at both ends on the wall of the cavity 16 a bypass means, such as the bypass slots 38, are provided in the inner housing 12 to permit relief of the fluid pressure in the high pressure portion HP of the cavity 16 In addition as shown in FIG. 6 the spring 32 (FIGS. 15) is replaced by a resilient compressible biasing means, such as the pad 49 formed of rubber, polyurethane or any other synthetic elastomer.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the sealing device 26 is shown carried by the spindle 20 In FIG. 8 the spring 42 for the sealing device 26 is a longitudinally disposed helical spring. As shown in FIG. 9 the sealing device 26 has a floating sealing member 30 formed of a resilient compressible material, such as rubber, polyurethane or any other synthetic elastomer.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art from the above description and reference to the above-mentioned U.S. patent applications, Serial No. 115,714, now abandoned, Serial No. 158,838, now Patent No. 3,116,617, and Serial No. 244,151, that the above described improved sealing device 26 of the present invention may be utilized in impulse tools in the following cases as shown in the following Tables 1 and 2.

t will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of the present invention have been achieved by providing an improved sealing device for an impulse tool which sealing device provides an improved positive sealing action. The improved sealing device eliminates the expense and requirement for close tolerances in the fabrication of the elements of the impulse tool. In addition the sealing device eliminates the problem of Wear between the sealing surfaces of the impulse tool thereby maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the impulse tool throughout its attendantly increased operative life. Further the sealing device minimizes the leakage between the sealing surfaces throughout the operative life of the inipulse tool.

While in accordance with the patent statutes a preferred (and alternative) embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

T able 1.Use of sealing device 26 in an impulse wrench Drive Sealing Sealing Inner Drive Device Device Fig. No. Housing Spindle 26 in 26 in 12 20 Inner Spindle Housing 20 T able 2.Use of sealing device in a source 0 fluid znzpulses Inner Spindle Sealing Sealing Passage Passage Housing 20'l1cd Drlve Drive Device Device Means Means Fig, No. 12 Tied to Inner Spindle 28 in 26 in in Inner in to Casing Housing 20 Inner Spindle Housing Spindle Casing Means 12 Housing 20 1 20 Means 12 Not shown X Do X Do X Do X X X X X I claim:

1. For an impulse tool for applying a torque to an object, said impulse tool comprising:

(a) housing means sealingly containing a fluid,

(b) spindle means in said housing means and in said fluid,

(c) drive means operatively associated with one of said housing means and said spindle means for causing relative rotary movement between said housing means and said spindle means,

((1) the other of said housing means and said spindle means being adapted to engage said object,

a sealing device comprising:

(1) sealing means on one of said housing means and said spindle means,

(2) one of said housing means and said spindle means being provided with a sealing device cavity,

(3) a sealing member resiliently disposed in said sealing device cavity to permit oscillating movement of said sealing member,

(4) a sealing portion on the other of said housing means and said spindle means,

(5) said sealing portion and said sealing member being disposed in sealing relation during a relatively small portion of each revolution of said relative rotary movement,

(6) said sealing member being forced against said side wall by said sealing portion while disposed in sealing relation,

(7) said sealing portion and said sealing member and said sealing means being operable during said rela tively small portion of each revolution of said relative rotary movement to dynamically seal oil a por tion of said fluid so that the pressure in said portion of the fiuid and on said other increases thereby causing the other of said housing means and said spindle means to rotate with respect to said one and to apply a torque to said object.

2. For an impulse tool for applying a torque to an object, said impulse tool comprising:

(a) housing means sealingly containing a fluid,

(b) spindle means in said housing means and in said fluid,

(c) drive means operatively associated with one of said housing means and said spindle means for causing relative rotary movement between said housing means and said spindle means,

(d) the other of said housing means and said spindle means being adapted to engaged said object,

a sealing device comprising:

(1) sealing means on one of said housing means and said spindle means,

(2) said housing means being provided with a sealing device cavity,

(3) a sealing member resiliently disposed in said sealing device cavity to permit oscillating movement of said sealing member,

(4) a sealing portion on said spindle means,

(5) said sealing portion and said sealing member and said sealing means being operable during said relatively small portion of each revolution of said relative rotary movement to dynamically seal off a portion of said iiuid so that the pressure in said portion of the fluid and on said other increases thereby causing the other of said housing means and said spindle means to rotate with respect to said one and to apply a torque to said object.

3. For an impulse tool for applying a torque to an object, said impulse tool comprising:

(a) housing means sealingly containing a fluid,

(b) spindle means in said housing means and in said fluid,

(c) drive means operatively associated with one of said housing means and said spindle means for causing relative rotary movement between said housing means and said spindle means,

(d) the other of said housing means and said spindle means being adapted to engage said object,

a sealing device comprising:

(1) sealing means on one of said housing means and said spindle means,

(2) said spindle means being provided with a sealing device cavity,

(3) a sealing member resiliently disposed in said sealing device cavity to permit oscillating movement of said sealing member,

(4) a sealing portion on said housing means,

(5) said sealing portion and said sealing member and said sealing means being operable during said relatively small portion of each revolution of said relative rotary movement to dynamically seal off a ,portion of said fluid sothat the pressure in said portion of the fluid and'on said other increases thereby causing the other of said housing means and said spindle means to rotate with respect to said one and to apply a torque to said object.

4. The sealing device recited in claim 1 and having biasing means on said sealing device cavity for biasing said sealing member outwardly from said sealing device cavity.

5. The sealing device recited in claim 4 wherein said biasing means is a spring.

6. The sealing device recited in claim 4, wherein said biasing means is a resilient pad.

7. The sealing device recited in claim 4 wherein said biasing means is a longitudinal spring.

'8. The sealing device recited in claim 1 wherein said sealing means has a spindle blade biased into engagement with a wall of said cavity.

9. The sealing device recited inclaim 1 wherein said sealing means has a through type spindle blade.

10. The sealing device recited in claim 1 wherein said sealing member comprises a resilient compressible member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 818,756 4/06 Eynon 192-58 2,564,212 8/51 Ramsey a 19258 3,116,617 1/64 Skoog 6426 BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT C. RIORDON, Examiner. 

1. FOR AN IMPULSE TOOL FOR APPLYING A TORQUE TO AN OBJECT, SAID IMPULSE TOOL COMPRISING: (A) HOUSING MEANS SEALINGLY CONTAINING A FLUID, (B) SPINDLE MEANS IN SAID HOUSING MEANS AND IN SAID FLUID, (C) DRIVE MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS FOR CASUING RELATIVE ROTARY MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS, (D) THE OTHER OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID OBJECT, A SEALING DEVICE COMPRISING: (1) SEALING MEANS ON ONE OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS, (2) ONE OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS BEING PROVIDED WITH A SEALING DEVICE CAVITY, (3) A SEALING MEMBER RESILIENTLY DISPOSED IN SAID SEALING DEVICE CAVITY TO PERMIT OSCILLATING MOVEMENT OF SAID SEALING MEMBER, (4) A SEALING PORTION ON THE OTHER OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS, (5) SAID SEALING PORTION AND SAID SEALING MEMBER BEING DISPOSED IN SEALING RELATION DURING A RELATIVELY SMALL PORTION OF EACH REVOLUTION OF SAID RELATIVE ROTARY MOVEMENT, (6) SAID SEALING MEMBER BEING FORCED AGAINST SAID SIDE WALL BY SAID SEALING PORTION WHILE DISPOSED IN SEALING RELATION, (7) SAID SEALING PORTION AND SAID SEALING MEMBER AND SAID SEALING MEANS BEING OPERABLE DURING SAID RELATIVELY SMALL PORTION OF EACH REVOLUTION OF SAID RELATIVE ROTARY MOVEMENT TO DYNAMICALLY SEAL OFF A PORTION OF SAID FLUID SO THAT THE PRESSURE IN SAID PORTION OF THE FLUID AND ON SAID OTHER INCREASES THEREBY CAUSING THE OTHER OF SAID HOUSING MEANS AND SAID SPINDLE MEANS TO ROTATE WITH RESPECT TO SAID ONE AND TO APPLY A TORQUE TO SAID OBJECT. 